Miniature golf game comprising relatively foldable playing surface elements



Dec. 29, 1964 A. CAPORUSCIO 3,163,417

MINIATURE cow GAME COMPRISING RELATIVE-LY FOLDABLE PLAYING SURFACE ELEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 26, 1962 N t w 9W 9% a. G mw M m WW 0 vw W X "L. A as w d m n 9, 1964 A. CAPORUSCIO 3, 63,417

MINIATURE GOLF GAME COMPRISING RELATIVELY FOLDABLE PLAYING SURFACE ELEMENTS Filed NOV. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

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United States Patent MINIATURE GQLF GAB E COIVLPRISING RELA- THVELY FOLDABLE FLAYING SURFACE EL MEN'ES Anthony Caporuscio, 1126 Webster Ave, Utfca, N.Y.

Filed Nov. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 239,954 6 Claims. (or. 273-872) This invention relates to a golf game and relates more particularly to a game having a collapsible playing surface adapted to be folded into a compact unit for handling or storage of playing surfaces and clubs and balls.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a game having all of the excitement of actual golf, but which may be played by a plurality of participants inside a comparatively small room.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a game wherein the elements are so designed that they may be readily folded, one upon the other, due to the diiference in elevation of their playing surfaces.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a golf game wherein the players actually drive the ball in a manner similar to ordinary golf.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide such a game wherein a plurality of obstacles are interposed between the tee and the cup.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a golf game wherein the playing surface and the ball are covered with materials that tend to stick to each other so that when the ball lands it takes a few bounces before stopping, simulating the action of a real golf ball.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf game wherein the playing surfaces are covered with a pile fabric having a plurality of upstanding loops and the golf ball is covered with a textile material having integral outwardly extending stiff hooks and spines formed of broken loops of filament and adapted to be retained in the pile fabric of the playing surfaces.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts and features of construction.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and as shown in the accompanying drawings where: in thereare disclosed preferred embodiments of this inventive concept. a

In the drawings: Y I I FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the playing elements for a golf game in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away for illustrative convenience, of the golf game of FIGURE 1 with the ball and club in position for use;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 1; j 7

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 5 is atransverse cross-sectional view on line 55 of FIG. 1; and a V FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal cros's-sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 1.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout 7 golf course element 12 as can be seen clearly in FIGURE 3,163,417. Patented Dec.'29, 19 64 braces 24 allowing the legs to be nested in a well known manner.

The putting green element 14 is of less width than the l and is pivotally secured thereto at one end by a hinge means 26 so that the putting green element 14 may be folded over the golf course element 12 to provide a compact unit for storage, handling or shipping. The putting green element 14 also has a base member 16 and a pair of foldable legs 20.

Overlying each of the base members 16 is a playing surface 23 preferably formed of a pile fabric having upstanding loops 31 for a purpose to be described further hereinafter. A slope or decline 29, seen in FIGURES 2 and 6, connects the playing surfaces 28 of both the golf course element 12 and the putting green element 14.

Adjacent one outer end of the golf course element 12, an eagle hole is defined by a cup 30, and adjacent the hinged innerend of the putting green element 14 a birdie hole is defined by means of a cup 32. Adjacent the other end of a putting green element 14, a tee 34 is vertically secured in any conventional manner. The tee 34 is preferably formed of a flexible material such as rubber or the like. i a

The base member 16 of the golf course element 12 is preferably formed of a sheet metal material having-a plurality of obstacles pressed therein such as sand traps 36 and water holes 38, which are depressed slightly as shown in FIGURE 6, and mounds or hills 49 which are slightly elevated. These obstacles are not shown in FIGS. 2-5 and are somewhat exaggerated in FIG. 6 for illustrative convenience. It is to be understood that, for example, the mounds 46 are not raised above the playing surface 28 enough to hinder the folding of the putting green element 14 over the top of the golf course element 12.

.The obstacles, along with the out-of-bounds areas 42, the roughs 44 and the trees 46, may be'colorfully defined in the material forming the playing surface 28. Also defined in this surface is a plurality of transversely extending lines 43 separating the golf course into a plurality of driving areas 75, 109, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 indicating the length of the drive made by the player as willbe more fully understood when the rules of the game are explained further hereinafter.

The putting green element has similar means defining a plurality of concentric circles Sii surrounding the birdie hole 32, one circle being provided for each of the driving areas defined on the playing surface 28 of the golf course element 12. The large outer circle is designated as 51 and includes the entire putting green area. his to be understood that the eagle hole3ll and the birdie hole 32 may be simply defined by colored areas on the playing surfaces 23 rather than the cups shown, if desired.

Fads or the like may be secured to the corners of the playing surface 23 of the putting green element 14 as indicating at 52 to keep the rules and score of the game in a convenient location for the participants.

To complete the elements necessary for'the golf game of the instant invention, a golf'ball 54 and a golf club 55 i are provided. The golf ball 54 preferably has a surface covering 55' formed of-a textile material having integral outwardly extending stiff hooks and. spines formed'of broken loops of filament for a purpose to be described further hereinafter;

. While it is apparent that the elements described here-' inbefore may be of any size or shape and formed of any material it has been found preferable to provide a playing board 10 wherein the golf course element 12 is approximately 4 feet in length and 3 feet -in width and wherein the putting green element 14 is slightly less than 4 feet in length and approximately2 /z feet in width.

the hole, or hole out. 1

'In order fora player to eagle. a'hole, that is,- hole" V uneven.

The tee 34 extends approximately one inch above the playing surface 28 of the putting green element 14 and the golf ball is preferably /8 inch in diameter., It will be apparent that such a small ball will not require much of a variation in the height of the obstacles such as the sand traps36, the water holes 38 and the mounds 40 to deflect the same as it rolls over the playing surface of the golf course element 12.

The golf club 56 is preferably approximately 22 inches long and has a face about two inches in length with the angle of a conventional 9 iron.

The driving areas formed on the golf course element 12 between the adjacent lines 48 preferably decrease in width, i.e., longitudinally, from approximately a inch' width for the 75 yard area to approximately a 4 inch width for the 250 yard area. As shown in FIG. 1 it is preferred to mark the driving areas as increasing by'25 yard increments from 75 yards to 250 yards, the eagle hole 30 being slightly beyond the 250 yard line and in the 250 yard area. The circles 50 surrounding the birdie hole 32 differ by approximately 1 /2 inches in diameter and, as mentioned hereinbefore, one such circle is provided for each of the driving areas.

While.it is to be understood that the structuredescribed h'ereinbefore may be used in any desired manner as a golf game, a' preferred method for playing same will now be set forth. The playing board 10 is first set upon the manner shown in FIG. 1 by extending each of the legs 20 and pivoting the putting green element 14 about the hinge means 26. Each player, in turn,'places the ball 54 on the tee 34 and by means of the golf club 56 drives the same with the intention of getting close to, or into the eagle hole 30. The particular, materials 31 mentioned hereinbefore for the playing surface 28 and the covering 55 on the golf'ball 54 will cause the ball to take-a few bounces after it hits the playing surface 28 on the golf course element 12 and then to stop. Becauseof the tendency of the two materials 31, 55 to stick to each other, the action will be much like the true action of real golf ballslanding on a fairway.

par, he must land on or in the birdie hole 32 and this must be done on the second stroke only.

When a player lands within his allotted circle 50 on his second stroke only he is conceded two putts and is considered to have completed the hole for a par 4.

If no player on his second stroke lands within his allotted circle 56, then all of the circles 50 are considered as one large putting green and on the third stroke the player within the circle 51 and nearest the birdie hole 32' is conceded one putt for a par 4 while all the other players are conceded two putts for a bogey 5. If only one of the players is within the outer circle 51 0a his third stroke he is conceded two putts to win the hole with a bogey 5.

Whenall the players are playing their second stroke from a penalized position, that is, Within one of the. sand traps 3 6, a water hole 38, the rough 44, a tree 46, or out-of-bounds 42,.they play for the large outer circle 51 as thoughthey were playing their third shot and the same rules as for the third stroke hold true.

If only one player lands within his allotted circle 59 on his second stroke he is conceded two putts and holes out with a par 4. Now all the remaining players continue to shoot for the large outer circle 51 until each of the players lands within the same when they are con cededtwo putts. For each time the player misses the large outer circle 51 he is given an additional stroke.

If all of the players miss the outer circle 51 on the third stroke they must again play for this circle. If on the fourth stroke one player lands within the outer circle 51, he is conceded two putts and wins the hole While I the large outer circle 51 on the fourth stroke the player When each player has taken his turn at driving "and it is determined in which of the driving areas, 75

yard to 250 yard, the ball 54 comes to rest, they each then play their second stroke by putting the ball back on the tee 34. Also, on the third, fourth, fifth, etc, strokes the ball is always put back on the tee 34. There'is no actual putting in this game, allof the putts being conceded. On the second stroke the player is re-' quired .to try and get the ball 54 into'the birdie hole? 7 Y 32 or within the circle surrounding the: birdie hole 32 which corresponds to the driving area in which the 'ball 54' stopped on his first stroke.

That is, if a player drives 175 yards on his first strokehe must then'endeavor to play his second shot within the "circle 50 marked 175.

Once any player is in his allotted circle 50, allof the putts are conceded in accordance. with the following rules.

If two players land within their. designated circle 59 on their second shot, both players are conceded two putts and the hole is halved, that is the'players are'consid ered to have required the same amount of strokes, to finish nearest the birdie hole 32 is conceded one putt and wins the hole with 'the'bogey 5. V

i .It isto be noted that each player must hole out if they are playing Metal Play whereas if they are playing Match Play, as soon as one player wins the hole they move on to the next hole; In the former type of game all of the strokes for 18 consecutive holes are added together for a par of 72 and the player: having the least strokes wins. In the latter type of play, the winner is determined by the player who wins most of the holes.

If a player is playing from'an unpenalized position and misses his allotted circle 50 on his second stroke whereas a penalized player lands within the outer circle 51 on his second stroke (he now lies three or four strokes depending on his penalty which will be further explained hereinafter), the latter player must remain on'the outer circle 51 until; the.,unpenalized player shoots. In this play, if the penalty is one stroke and the unpenalized player lands on the large. putting green, that is, within the outer circle 51, on hisithird stroke, the ball nearest the 'birdie hole 32 .isconceded one putt and wins the hole with a par 4., But if the penalty is two strokes and the unpenalized player lands within the outer circle 51 in three strokes then both players are conceded two putts and the unpenalized player wins the hole with a bogey 5. However, if the penalized player lands 'within'the outer circle. 51 with his second stroke, thereby lying three,

and the unpenalized players lands within the outer circle V 51 with his fourth stroke, both players are concededlands within the outer-circle 51 with his second stroke and now lies 4-becauseof atwo stroke penalty, and the player to birdie a hole, that is, hole out in one under unpenalized player, lands on the outer circle 51 with hisfourth stroke, then both player are conceded two putts and the hole is halved with a double bogey 6. a

Any ball protruding over any-hazard or obstacle line shall be declaredwithin that hazard and realize its penalty.

' Any ball protrudingover the upper line 48 in its driving area shall be-declared in the next higher driving area.

On the putting green, for a ball to be declared within its allotted circle 50 it must not protrude over the line which indicates the outside extremity of that circle.

The penalties are determined as follows:

If on the first stroke the players ball lands on the putting green element 14, it is declared out-of-bounds for a two stroke penalty;

If the ball lands on a tree 46 the player receives a one stroke penalty;

If in a sand trap 36, a one stroke penalty;

If the ball lands in a rough 44, a one stroke penalty;

If in a water hole 38, a two stroke penalty; and

If out-of-bounds 42, a two stroke penalty.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided a golf game which accomplishes all of the objects of the instant invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and since many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as merely illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A golf game comprising a reduced scale golf ball, a reduced scale golf club, a miniature oblong putting green element having an elevated playing surface, and a miniature oblong golf course element having a substantially less elevated playing surface than said putting green playing surface, the said elements being in end to end contiguous arrangement,

said golf course element having a guard rail therearound of a height such that the upper edge is substantially coplanar with the surface of said putting green element,

hinge means interconnecting the contiguous inner ends of the elements to allow said putting green element to be folded over said golf course element.

short leg means vertically supporting said elements with their horizontally oriented playing surfaces in spaced relationship to a general support surface,

a vertically extending tee secured centrally of and adjacent the outer end of said putting green element,

means defining a first cup and a series of concentric numerically valued circles located centrally of the inner end of the putting green element, the outermost circle of the series being adjacent said latter end of said putting green,

means defining a second cup adjacent the outer end of said golf course element, the latter cup being substantially aligned with said tee and said first cup,

means defining a plurality of depressed obstacles and protuberant obstacles in the playing surface of the golf course element between its inner and outer ends,

lines extending longitudinally of said golf course element designating inner limits of longitudinal edge areas representing out of bounds zones and outer limits of longitudinal edge areas representing in the rough zones at each of the sides of the golf course element and leaving a central playing area therebetween, the width of said central area a direction parallel to an end of the golf course element decreasing slightly as the second cup is approached from the inner end of the golf course element,

a plurality of numerically valued lines extending transversely from side to side of the golf course element, separating it into a plurality of areas of values identical with those of said circles on the putting green element,

and means representing a water hole spaced from and partially encircling the second cup and extending substantially across the adjacent end of the golf course element.

2. A golf game in accordance with claim 1 wherein said playing surfaces of each element are formed of a pile fabric haw'ng a plurality of upstanding loops,

and said golf ball is covered with a textile material having integral outwardly exending stiff hooks and spines formed of broken loops of filament and adapted upon contact to be at least partially retained in the pile fabric of the playing surfaces, 1

whereby when the ball lands on such surfaces it takes a a few bounds before stopping, simulating the action of a real golf ball. 3. A golf game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the width of the oblong putting green element is slightly less than the width of the oblong golf course element,

whereby when the elements are folded, access to the golf course element is provided by the spaces between the elements, which spaces are of suflicient size, to receive a ball and a golf club for storage, and the. v

identity of each element is readily apparent.

4. A golf game in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supporting legs are hingedly attached legs,

and each leg possesses at its base means to allow the leg to be vertically adjusted.

5. A golf game in accordance with claim 1 wherein a downwardly directed rail is secured around the periphery of the putting green element with a top edge substantially at the level of its playing surface and with a bottom edge therebelow,

and a sloping surface at and across the inner end of the golf course element extending substantially from the top of said upper edge of said guard rail to the adjacent lower playing surface of the golf course element. I

6. A golf game in accordance with claim 1 wherein adjacent numerically valued lines indicate equal increments in yardage value, but are located progressively closer together as the second cup is approached in a direction from the putting green element.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner, 

1. A GOLF GAME COMPRISING A REDUCED SCALE GOLF BALL, A REDUCED SCALE GOLF CLUB, A MINIATURE OBLONG PUTTING GREEN ELEMENT HAVING AN ELEVATED PLAYING SURFACE, AND A MINIATURE OBLONG GOLF COURSE ELEMENT HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY LESS ELEVATED PLAYING SURFACE THAN SAID PUTTING GREEN PLAYING SURFACE, THE SAID ELEMENTS BEING IN END TO END CONTIGUOUS ARRANGEMENT, SAID GOLF COURSE ELEMENT HAVING A GUARD RAIL THEREAROUND OF A HEIGHT SUCH THAT THE UPPER EDGE IS SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH THE SURFACE OF SAID PUTTING GREEN ELEMENT, HINGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE CONTIGUOUS INNER ENDS OF THE ELEMENTS TO ALLOW SAID PUTTING GREEN ELEMENT TO BE FOLDED OVER SAID GOLF COURSE ELEMENT. SHORT LEG MEANS VERTICALLY SUPPORTING SAID ELEMENTS WITH THEIR HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED PLAYING SURFACES IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO A GENERAL SUPPORT SURFACE, A VERTICALLY EXTENDING TEE SECURED CENTRALLY OF AND ADJACENT THE OUTER END OF SAID PUTTING GREEN ELEMENT, MEANS DEFINING A FIRST CUP AND A SERIES OF CONCENTRIC NUMERICALLY VALUED CIRCLES LOCATED CENTRALLY OF THE INNER END OF THE PUTTING GREEN ELEMENT, THE OUTERMOST CIRCLE OF THE SERIES BEING ADJACENT SAID LATTER END OF SAID PUTTING GREEN, MEANS DEFINING A SECOND CUP ADJACENT THE OUTER END OF SAID GOLF COURSE ELEMENT, THE LATTER CUP BEING SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID TEE AND SAID FIRST CUP, MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF DEPRESSED OBSTACLES AND PROTUBERANT OBSTACLES IN THE PLAYING SURFACE OF THE GOLF COURSE ELEMENT BETWEEN ITS INNER AND OUTER ENDS, LINES EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID GOLF COURSE ELEMENT DESIGNATING INNER LIMITS OF LONGITUDINAL EDGE AREAS REPRESENTING "OUT OF BOUNDS" ZONES AND OUTER LIMITS OF LONGITUDINAL EDGE AREAS REPRESENTING "IN THE ROUGH" ZONES AT EACH OF THE SIDES OF THE GOLF COURSE ELEMENT AND LEAVING A CENTRAL PLAYING AREA THEREBETWEEN, THE WIDTH OF SAID CENTRAL AREA IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO AN END OF THE GOLF COURSE ELEMENT DECREASING SLIGHTLY AS THE SECOND CUP IS APPROACHED FROM THE INNER END OF THE GOLF COURSE ELEMENT, A PLURALITY OF NUMERICALLY VALUED LINES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY FROM SIDE TO SIDE OF THE GOLF COURSE ELEMENT, SEPARATING IT INTO A PLURALITY OF AREAS OF VALUES IDENTICAL WITH THOSE OF SAID CIRCLES ON THE PUTTING GREEN ELEMENT, AND MEANS REPRESENTING A WATER HOLE SPACED FROM AND PARTIALLY ENCIRCLING THE SECOND CUP AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY ACROSS THE ADJACENT END OF THE GOLF COURSE ELEMENT. 